Chinese skinny-dippers defy public morals on nudity

The water might be chilly but dozens of naked men happily relax in an outdoor pool in a Beijing suburb making the most of the sunshine. The small pond next to a high-voltage power line and shabby brick building is the only nudist bathing spot near the Chinese capital — and one of few in the entire country. AFP PHOTO / FRED DUFOUR

Fangshan, China | AFP | The water might be chilly but dozens of naked men happily relax in an outdoor pool in a Beijing suburb making the most of the sunshine.

“This is a paradise for Chinese nudists,” says 18-year-old Zhen, displaying a tiger tattoo on his chest.

The small pond next to a high-voltage power line and shabby brick building is the only nudist bathing spot near the Chinese capital — and one of few in the entire country.

China has a tradition of modesty — pornography is forbidden, nudity in films is strictly limited and plunging necklines are a rare sight.

Diehard skinny-dippers attract lots of attention and prudish authorities often close down the places where they swim.

But nudists from all walks of life and regions defy social norms to gather near a residential area in the town of Fangshan.

“People have been bathing naked here for 20 years — we don’t pay attention to them anymore,” says an 84-year-old resident. Locals previously lodged complaints with authorities, but it remains a popular nudist spot.

Xiao Li says he comes to the pond to “relieve pressure” from a busy job in the chemicals industry.

“We don’t bother anyone but we obviously have to respect the residents,” he explains as he shampoos his hair.

Behind him tanned men in their 50s smoke and play cards around an old wooden table, making a cheerful racket, while young people jump from a platform into the 16-degree Celsius (60 Fahrenheit) water.

While women are welcome to take a dip with the men, they have not dared. Taboos surrounding female nudity are still very strong, the men explain.

– ‘Perverted’ –

The rudimentary facilities include some plastic chairs, a rusty wire for a clothes line and two red brick shacks, with a sign reading “Bathing Forbidden” written in white chalk.

Under Chinese law, anyone caught “voluntarily exposing their body in a public place” can be placed under administrative detention for up to 10 days.

But “the police are flexible,” says Zhang Zhigang, a lawyer specialising in subcultures.

He adds: “They intervene in busy public places. In isolated areas they usually ask nudists to leave.”

Ha, 80, says he has been swimming naked for 30 years and comes to Fangshan every day.

“Nudism is a culture, the people are civilised. Will it grow? I’m not sure, the mentalities are still backward,” he says.